EL SALVADOR

In El Salvador, AJWS focuses on ending human rights violations against women and LGBT people, and protecting the land and water that is critical for the survival of farmers, indigenous people, youth, women and communities affected by civil war.

The Problems

El Salvador’s people face some of the worst environmental degradation in Latin America. Mining, large-scale agriculture and other projects threaten to damage the country’s environment and displace rural communities that depend on local land and water to survive. The companies planning these projects sometimes intimidate and deceive local communities, limiting their right to make informed decisions about the use of their land. Indigenous people, in particular, have been evicted from the territories they had lived in for many generations; as a result, they are often left destitute, unable to produce enough food to sustain their families.

El Salvador’s indigenous people face intense social exclusion and discrimination. LGBT people, women, youth and sex workers also face obstacles in making their voices heard and respected. Some face barriers to accessing health care, education and other critical services—especially sex workers and LGBT people, who experience violations from police and organized crime groups with impunity.